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    Darwin Airfield (RAAF Station Darwin, RAAF Darwin) Northern Territory Australia
Location
Lat 12° 24' 53S Long 130° 52' 36E  Darwin Airfield is located at 103' above sea level at Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. To the south is the suburb of Winnellie.

Also known as Darwin Field, Darwin Strip or Darwin Drome. Still in use today as Darwin Airport or Darwin International Airport.

Construction
Darwin Airfield was built during 1938 and completed by June 1, 1940 as the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield in the Northern Territory. Also known as RAAF Station Darwin or RAAF Darwin. To the south was Camp Linnell.

Wartime History
This otherwise remote base became the an important location during WWII. After Allied units fell back to Australia in early 1942, it became a target for Japanese air raids, and became an important Allied airfield. Darwin was continually repaired and expanded during WWII. About 75 units operated there during the war, from the RAAF, USAAF and RAF.

Japanese missions against Darwin
February 19, 1942–September 27, 1943

Allied units based at Darwin
United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
FEAF, HQ December 25, 1941 - Jan 14, 1942 Java
FEAF, 5th Bomber Command December 25, 1941 - Jan 14, 1942
Royal Air Force (RAF)
No. 54 Squadron (Spitfire)
No. 79 Squadron (Spitfire) Momote arrives November 24, 1944–

Japanese Air Raids
On February 19, 1942 Japanese carrier aircraft attacked Darwin in two raids. The second raid targeted RAAF Darwin, intercepting them were P-40 Warhawks from the USAAF, 33rd Pursuit Squadron, that lost most of their aircraft and four pilots killed. Afterwards, RAAF Darwin was targeted by other Japanese air raids.

Today
Still in use today as Darwin Airport or Darwin International Airport a civilian airport with two runways. The first is oriented 29/11 measures 11,004' x 197' surfaced with asphalt. The second is oriented 36/18 measures 5,000' x 98' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: YPDN IATA: DRW.

References
Every Day A Nightmare (2010) pages 197 (map Darwin area February 1942 via AHSNT)

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Last Updated
July 24, 2023

 

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